Anybody had a bash with a 4MP webcam?

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Spotted these a while ago and I'm still wondering if its true. Anybody had a go with one? It would be a cracker for planets. (if it works that is)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-0-Mega-Pixel-USB-2-0-4-Infra-Red-Webcam-NV-MIC-ZOOM_W0QQitemZ260051077884QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4616QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Captain Chaos

[GordonCopestake]

I dont doubt that the chip is 4mp but im not sure of the ability of the USB bus to transfer the full data across the bus and to the hard drive without dropping frames. They reckon it can do 30 fps which in my head works out to 119439360 pixels per second. Assuming something like 8bit colour thats 119439360 bytes a second which in my tiny mind works out to 113 Mb a second uncompressed data. A 5 minute video at those rates would be 35gig uncompressed. It's possible that it has a built in MPEG encoder as thats how video cameras get around this vast data, but i've not seen the price yet to make an opinion.

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

Well its going for 15 quid plus 8 quid postage at the moment, might buy one and ruin that as well. I was looking for another CL ProEx to ruin as I've found out how I managed to ruin the first one. USB red lead is -VE, black lead is +VE, never saw that one coming.

Captain Chaos

[Ambermile]

Well, I reckon you should go back and read the smallprint there. Look at the framerates. That 4mp is almost certainly software-interpolated and at best I suspect you are looking at a 1.3mp camera. A CMOS one at that.

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

+ Latest 4.0 Mega pixels high quality CMOS LENS

+ Special designed 5-layer optics lens provide Crystal clear image

+ 4 Infra-red LED - suitable for all environments even in 100% dark area.

+ 10X digital zoom

+ 16 effects and 10 frame options

+ Interface: USB2.0 (ensure the high speed data transmission) and back compliant with USB1.1.

+ Transmission rate: 640x480, 1280x960, 1600x1200, 2304x1728(Picture Size)

+ Window capture size: 2304x1728

+ Video format: 24-bit RGB / I420

+ Transmission rate: (640*480) 30F/S (1280*960)15F/S 1600X1200,2304X1728(Picture Size)

Is what it says on the advert. Definitely CMOS and 1280*960 at 15f/s. As Gordon said, its a lot of stuff to get down a little wire.

I think I'll give it a miss

Captain Chaos

[Ambermile]

Yup - at USB2.0 speed and nothing else happening. I can't get 15 fps umcompressed on my USB2 if I want to save the images though, OK for streaming but not disk access as well.

Arthur

PS - what's a 4mp lens then?

[SteelRat]

Another 'too-good-to-be-true' ad then. Well worked out folks. That's £23 you just saved CC. Get a take away and a good drink instead? What a forum 8)

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

I'll just have the beer, not enough for a take away as well.

I'll do some more e-bay browsing and see if I can save enough for a curry and a skinfull for tomorrow as well.

Captain Chaos

[SteelRat]

Hah!

[GordonCopestake]

Going by most of the sh1te on ebay you could pay your mortgage every month CC!